Why does the media tend to spread fear?

[Brogan]

The News pumps everyone with fear by showing things that scare the public like the Belfast City Hall Riots. TV Adverts like the damage smoking can do scare people in a way. I don't know anybody who's noticed this and I've wondered why. Fear seems to be a great way to manipulate one's mind, as Marilyn Manson said, "Keep everyone afraid, and they'll consume"
Have you noticed the media pumps people with fear?

[Peter D]

Good Question!

There are basically two answers. Governments manipulate the media to strike fear into the public and then "rescue" them to make the public appreciate the Government more. In the past Governments provided services like tuition aid, help with food, and housing that sort of thing. But as resources become scarcer that becomes harder to do, so they offer protection and security much like the American mafia does. They go in and bust up a place and they promises the owners "protection." You can see this in your own BBC. In the BBC series "House of Cards" trilogy. The Prime Minister in that series tacitly admits to setting off IRA Bombs in London and while this is fictional, there is a lot of truth to be found in fiction. Shakespeare said: " The play’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king;" thus underscoring the importance of fiction in social dialogue.

Secondly, nice doesn't play well on television news. During the Vietnam War, Americans were saturated with bad news and begged for some kind of respite. An experiment was done to try and sell uplifting news stories with a positive spin but they just didn't go over very well.

Thanks from the U.S. and I hope that helps.

[Nano]

that's what keeps it going.

[PoohBearPenguin]

Because fear drives viewers, and viewers drive profit.

It's always been that way. How many times have you heard something like "What common activity endangers you and your childrens' safety everyday? More at 11."

It's purely a hook to get you to tune in later on....and find out they're talking about how staircases can be dangerous, or something else totally stupid. But hey, it got you to watch didn't it? That's all they care about.

[The First Dragon]

You may have noticed too that people pay good money to go to a theme park to ride roller coasters and be scared witless. There is some attraction in fear.